Monday, June 28, 2010

Cabinet of curiosities

One of the advantages of living on acreage is having the space for a shed. A big shed. Big enough to hoard store all manner of vintage treasures, collected over years of thrift shop and garage sale stalking. Over the weekend, I managed to re-visit some of the pieces I have stashed away, and found these cabinets.

The blue hutch has the original, crazed painted finish, which is just gorgeous, so I'm looking for a new finish for the interior. I'm leaning towards painting, to complement the simple, rustic appearance:





...maybe something simple like this:





The second piece has been varnished a truly awful, streaky brown, which will soon be covered in a fresh coat of paint. So with that in mind, I'm thinking I might zhush this one up with a wallpapered interior:



 


 


...but I might just throw caution to the wind, and go for something like this gorgeous green chinoiserie paper, used here by Ruthie Sommers:



...or this vibrant yellow de gournay number...



So, what do you think? Do you have a preference for brightly coloured interiors, soft, subdued, chalky pastels - or maybe a dramatic black and white stripe? I'd love to know what you'd choose!

It's school holidays here in Queensland (yay!) but instead of leisurely sleep-ins, I'll be spending much of the first week watching my son compete in a state football carnival, so I may be a little scarce over the next few days. Fingers crossed the weather stays nice and dry! 

Have a great week everyone,

30 comments:

  1. Kerri, I think I am a white girl but that last photo is so wonderful that I would be very tempted...the only other colour would be french blue.

    Best wishes for a wonderful week!

    Jeanne:)

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  2. Kerri...treasures indeed! Oh to have a shed. Mine is the size of a postage stamp and currently full of the 22 year old's goods and chattels! I love the yellow number, but you'd expect me to say that! I have no doubt that whatever you do it will be stupendous! All the best for your son's carnival and you enjoy watching xx

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  3. These are two really cool projects. Love your idea of wallpaper inside the second one. Subtle or bright, I think it will look great - before and after photos please!!
    Sharon

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  4. As tempting as all the beautiful colour wallpapers are, it would be simple black and white for me. Good luck!

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  5. oooo, i love your stash darl. reminds me of my own shed, so many cupboards so little time.

    can't wait to see them both all zushed up! jxx

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  6. Really like the blue one. I think we have a smaller version of the first brown one. It's still brown ugh.

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  7. I would definitely like to see it in wallpaper, any of them would be lovely.
    I am looking for one of these to put in a bedroom. Displaying shoes in it!!!

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  8. What fabulous furniture! I just love the colour of the first one so I'd go with a simple interior there. As for the second one, yes, I'd go for something flashy inside. I do like the yellow paper :)
    Can I come and look aroud in your shed, please?

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  9. Hi Kerri, some great treasures there. I like the idea of wall paper on the interior. I was thinking of doing that with the wardrobe I am making over. Maybe if you gave the first cabinet a white chalky chippy interior (gee does that make sense? In other words don't make it too stark I guess) it would really bring out the blue/turquoise colour of the cabinet. Whatever you do it will look lovely and I look forward to seeing the after shots. Enjoy the football!

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  10. I love these cabinets! You are so lucky to have the space to store all your treasures! :)

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  11. WOW! My jaw just hit the floor! I thought our shed was pretty good (more like a tardis), but yours is Queen of the sheds! I LOVE that first cupboard and love how you casually said you found it in the shed - lol! I cannot wait to see what you do to the inside. Love, love, love it:) Hope you have a wonderful week. Hugs ~ Tina xx

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  12. I love the first wallpapered cupboard - the subtleness lends itself to displaying with some color which you can change up as you wish...both gorgeous pieces to work with.

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  13. I'm swooning over those inspiration pics, can't wait to see what you decide, they will both look absolutely fabulous when done. I think I would probably go for a subtle wallpaper interior but it depends on the room. Good luck to your son for his state football tryouts, that's very exciting. Get your proud mum yelling voice ready :)
    Jxx

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  14. Hi Kerri! I've also been out of pocket, on a trip to Savannah, Georgia. Just got back and had to pop over and see what you've got going on.....besides football : ) !! I LOVE the blue of the first piece and wouldn't change it. I've got a similar one in my daughter's room (except it has glass doors) and I've never thought of painting the inside, which looks just as yours does. Better yet, wallpaper, which I really really love ~ in a quiet palette, I think..... I know that whatever you choose to do, it will be fab, and I hope you'll share it with us!
    xx Suzanne

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  15. That hutch is so beautiful! Love it. Can't wait to see what you decide.

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  16. Oooh, you are going to have fun! I love the blue on the first dresser, quite ethereal, and makes me think of blue and white china. The second one will benefit all the more from your missionary zeal - go ahead, save it from itself!

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  17. I can't believe you have these beauties stashed away - that first one is exactly my thing. We have an old washed out aqua/green sideboard that has been varnished with shellac so it still has the worn paint and colour but with a lovely silky feel. - I'd almost just polish and shellac the wood interior too and leave as is... but paint would give it a fresher feel. Not everyone loves the battered look as much as I do...!

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  18. Oh my kingdom for a shed. How wonderful that you have space to stash your treasures. Soft chalky pastels for me. Enjoy the holidays. Aren't they great! A-M xx

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  19. Wow Kerri, I can't wait to see what you come up with I bet both pieces will look fantastic. xx

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  20. Love that first piece, think I'd leave it as is and just whitewash the inside
    Alison

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  21. omg, that is so awesome! I wish I had room in our SF apartment to buy something like that and refurbish/paint it. Can't wait to see what you come up with!!!

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  22. That first one is so lovely. I bet it's great fun rediscovering all the treasures hidden in the shed Kerri. Can't wait to see what wallpaper you choose.

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  23. Love that first one, but if you paint the interior, it's going to look fresher than the exterior. Could you use a wash or something instead?
    Or maybe just line the shelves with scalloped paper, as they did in the good old days?

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  24. Kerri you are so lucky to have a hoard of goodies in your shed. Love the wallpaper...think I'de prefer a striking black or something like the first wallpaper pic...good luck with the football carnival Kym X

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  25. Today I am liking, white and french blue and raspberry. Your shed sounds like a treasure trove.

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  26. Wow Kerri! they both are amazing, I'm sure that after some painting work they will turn out incredibly gorgeous!!!
    As for me, I love white, pure nordi white, but also some pastel colours!

    Happy new week!
    Hugs!
    Mara

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  27. What about painting the inside coral red!

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  28. loooove that first one- i still can't believe that you have these treasures *stashed* in your shed you lucky gal!!!
    and i sdore wall paper inside cabinets....greens and blues being my fave....can't WAIT to see what you are going to do....
    melissa x

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  29. I'd go for pastels. I love wallpaper inside cabinets..Rachaelxx

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  30. I LOVE your cupboard, and I can hardly wait to see what you do with the inside!!!
    Thank you for your sweet email and please feel free to use my photos anytime! Thank you for being so considerate and asking... I hope you got my email!
    Have a great day!
    xoxoxo
    Maria

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